Three Ways Families Can Pay for Calls from an Inmate (what to choose)

A collect call is the simplest option: your loved one places the call, and you accept the charges when you answer. If you don’t accept the charges, the call won’t go through.

A Friends & Family Prepaid account is set up by whoever owns the phone number receiving the calls. You deposit money into the account, and that balance pays for incoming calls from the inmate. To get started, register your phone number through the Texas Inmate Telephone Friends & Family Enrollment - you'll need the inmate's TDCJ ID number to complete registration.

The Inmate Telephone Prepaid Debit option (often called a Securus Debit Account) is a prepaid calling account tied to the inmate. Either the inmate or family can deposit money, and calls draw down from that balance.

• ✓ Collect calls - easiest to start because you decide to accept charges when the call comes in; costs and fees depend on the phone vendor’s policies.
• ✓ Friends & Family Prepaid - gives you more control because you fund an account linked to your phone number; requires enrollment/registration and pricing depends on vendor policies.
• ✓ Inmate prepaid/debit (Securus Debit Account) - funds sit in the inmate’s calling account and can be topped up by the inmate or family; convenient for budgeting, but fees/rates still depend on vendor policies.

The biggest difference is who controls the spending. With collect calls, you decide call-by-call: you answer, hear the prompts, and accept the charges - or don't. That works if you only want occasional calls, but it can feel unpredictable since you're reacting in the moment. Friends & Family Prepaid puts you in the driver's seat. You set up the account, choose when to deposit, and decide how much. This is usually the best fit if you want predictable budgeting without the "do I accept this charge?" decision every time the phone rings. With an inmate prepaid/debit account (Securus Debit Account), money goes into the inmate's calling balance. Families often pick this when they want calls paid from a set pool of funds that isn't tied to a single phone line - while still capping spending to whatever's been deposited.

Whichever payment method you choose, don't skip the setup step. Before you can receive calls from a TDCJ inmate, you must register your phone number through the Texas Inmate Telephone Friends & Family Enrollment. Have the inmate's TDCJ ID number ready before you start.

Stuck choosing an option? Having trouble getting calls to go through? Contact TDCJ's Inmate Technology office. Calling hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (excluding state holidays). You can also email offenderphones@tdcj.texas.gov or use the contact form on the TDCJ inmate telephone page.

Plan your conversations with privacy in mind. All inmate calls are subject to monitoring and recording, except calls to the inmate’s attorney of record.

Call limits affect what you're getting for your money. Calls max out at 30 minutes, and you'll hear a warning one minute before the system disconnects. Get the important updates out early - save anything that takes time, like reading long letters or going over detailed plans, for another call.

1. Choose your deposit method - You can deposit using Access Corrections online, by phone, or with cash at walk-in locations.
2. Deposit online (AccessCorrections.com) - Follow the prompts to send money to your loved one at a TDCJ facility.
3. Deposit by phone (toll-free) - Call 1.866.345.1884 to make a deposit.
4. Deposit with cash at a walk-in location - Use a participating cash walk-in option to fund the account.
5. Plan for service fees - Access Corrections deposits come with service fees, so factor that into what you add.

Prefer to fund an offender's trust account by mail? TDCJ accepts money orders or cashier's checks made payable to "Inmate Trust Fund" (include the offender's name and number). Send the payment with a completed deposit slip to: Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville, TX 77342-0060. For a more hands-off approach, TDCJ offers a monthly checking account debit (ACH) option that deposits a set amount automatically. The debit happens on or around the 5th of the month, and funds typically credit to the offender's account around the 10th.